Shoppers across the UK have been left bewildered after receiving alarming debt collection letters from a leading supermarket chain – all over unpaid 10p carrier bags.
The letters, sent by a debt recovery agency on behalf of the retailer, demanded payment for plastic bags that customers allegedly failed to pay for during their shopping trips. Some claims dated back several years, leaving recipients both confused and concerned.
'I thought it was a scam at first'
One affected customer, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters: "I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the letter. They were chasing me for 30p from three separate shopping trips in 2019. At first I thought it was some kind of scam."
The supermarket has since clarified that the letters were sent in error, blaming a "technical glitch" in their systems. A spokesperson explained that the automated process was never intended to pursue customers for such small amounts.
Consumer rights experts weigh in
Retail analysts have expressed surprise at the incident, noting that the cost of sending debt collection letters would far exceed the amounts being claimed. "This appears to be a case of systems running without proper human oversight," commented one industry expert.
The supermarket has apologised for any distress caused and confirmed they are reviewing their processes to prevent similar occurrences in future. Customers who received the letters have been advised to disregard them.
